What is it used for?

How does it work?

BritLofex tablets contain the active ingredient lofexidine hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine used to manage the withdrawal symptoms associated with withdrawal from opiates such as heroin.

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People undergoing detoxofication (detox) from opiates experience physical withdrawal symptoms such as chills, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting, runny nose, and muscle cramps and twitching. These symptoms are caused by overactivity of a substance in the body called noradrenaline, and can be very distressing. Lofexidine is used to reduce these physical symptoms during withdrawal from the opiate.

Lofexidine works by acting on specific receptors called alpha-2 receptors. These are found in many tissues and organs of the body, eg the brain, the gut and the blood vessels. When lofexidine acts on these receptors, the over-activity of the noradrenaline is reduced, and this relieves the withdrawal symptoms.

This medicine will help you stop taking opiates, but will not stop you craving them. Your doctor or community drugs worker will give you further advice on how to remain opiate-free.

Warning!

This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.

Your pulse rate should be regularly monitored while you are taking this medicine.

You should not stop taking this medicine suddenly, as this can cause your blood pressure to rise. The medicine should be decreased gradually over several days, according to the instructions given by your doctor.

Not to be used in

The safety and efficacy of this medicine in children has not been studied by the manufacturer. It is not recommended for children.

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This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh any potential risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should be used with caution in nursing mothers, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the nursing infant. Discuss this with your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Drowsiness

Dryness of the nose and throat

Dry mouth

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

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The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

There may be an increased risk of drowsiness and sedation if this medicine is taken with any of the following (which can also cause drowsiness):

alcohol

barbiturates, eg phenobarbital, amobarbital

benzodiazepines, eg diazepam, temazepam

tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline

narcotics, eg morphine, codeine

sedating antihistamines, eg chlorphenamine

sleeping tablets, eg zopiclone.

This medicine may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of medicines used to treat high blood pressure (antihypertensives). This may cause dizziness.

Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and imipramine may reduce the effect of this medicine.

There may be an increased risk of abnormal heart beats if this medicine is taken in combination with any of the following medicines, and the manufacturer recommends that this medicine is avoided in people taking any of these:

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